Cross-Platform Browsers: Windows, Mac & Linux

Opera

Opera has managed to weather the browser wars since its original release in 1996. Constantly innovating, this browser is now a full-fledged Internet suite with web, e-mail, news (usenet and RSS) and chat with a wealth of features for new switchers and power users alike.

• Features: Web · Email · RSS · Chat · Skinnable · Phishing Filter · Widgets · BitTorrent
  
• Import: Bookmarks from Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Netscape, or generic HTML file; Mail from Outlook Express, Netscape, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Eudora, or generic mbox file.
  
• Download Opera for Windows, Macintosh or Linux. Free.
  
• Read 30 Days to Becoming an Opera Lover.
  
• Get Opera Banners.

Firefox

Mozilla Firefox has been the most successful alternative web browser since the “browser wars” ended. The flagship product of the Mozilla Foundation traces its lineage back to the original Netscape. Firefox was designed for simplicity, security, and extensibility, with hundreds of extensions available. The Mozilla Thunderbird mail & news client is a perfect companion. Both applications are open-source.

• Features: Web · RSS headlines · Email and full RSS via Thunderbird · Extensions for chat, customization, etc. · Skinnable · Phishing Filter
  
• Import: All settings from Internet Explorer, Opera, Mozilla, Netscape, bookmarks from generic HTML file.
  
• Download Firefox for Windows, Macintosh or Linux. Free.
  
• Read the Firefox Beginner’s Guide and Try Firefox.
  
• Get Firefox Banners from Spread Firefox.

Originally created as an open-source testing ground for Netscape, Mozilla gained a following of its own as AOL put its stamp on Netscape. Mozilla implemented many of the features that have since made Firefox popular. Official development has moved on to Firefox, and the suite continues in the form of SeaMonkey. In addition to Firefox and SeaMonkey, Mozilla’s “Gecko” engine is the basis for a number of platform-specific browsers, including K-Meleon for Windows, Camino for Macintosh, and Galeon and Epiphany for Linux.

• Features: Web · Email · Chat · Editor
  
• Import: All settings from Netscape 4, bookmarks from generic HTML file. Current Internet Explorer Favorites appear in bookmarks menu.
  
• Download SeaMonkey for Windows, Macintosh or Linux. Free.

Bookmarks sharing: del.icio.us and Shadows.
Photo services: Flickr, Photobucket.
Blogging: Blogger, TypePad, WordPress and many others.

• Features: Web · Blogging · Photo Sharing · Favorites Sharing · RSS reader · Skinnable · compatible with many Firefox extensions
  
• Import: All settings from Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari.
  
• Download Flock for Windows, Macintosh or Linux. Free.
  
• Get Flock Banners.

Windows Browsers

• Features: Web
  
• Import: Will use your current Internet Explorer, Netscape/Firefox, or Opera bookmarks.
  
• Download K-Meleon for Windows. Free.
  
• Get K-Meleon Banners.

Starting with version 8.0, the venerable Netscape has changed a bit. Newer versions are Windows-only, and balance the safety of Firefox with the compatibility of Internet Explorer. You can view “trusted” sites using Internet Explorer’s engine, and the rest of the web using Firefox’s engine. Netscape will update its list of trusted sites automatically, and you can add or remove sites from the list yourself.

• Features: Web · RSS Headlines
  
• Import: All settings from Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, Mozilla, bookmarks from generic HTML file.
  
• Download Netscape for Windows. Free.
  
• Get Netscape Now! Banners.

Safari

• Features: Web · RSS (on Tiger only)
  
• Import: Bookmarks from any browser.
  
• Read About Safari for Macintosh OS X.

This browser’s slogan is “Mozilla power, Mac style.” Designed to bring Mozilla’s technology into harmony with Mac OS X, Camino integrates seamlessly in a way that Firefox hasn’t yet managed.

• Features: Web
  
• Import: Bookmarks from Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Opera, OmniWeb, iCab, or generic HTML file.
  
• Download Camino for Macintosh OS X. Free.
  
• Get Camino Banners.
  

OmniWeb

Even if you’re not a Mac user, it’s worth reading through OmniWeb’s features page just for the writing style!

• Features: Web · RSS
  
• Import: Bookmarks from Internet Explorer, Safari, or generic HTML file.
  
• Download OmniWeb for Macintosh OS X. $29 with 10-day trial.
  
• Get OmniWeb Banners.
  

iCab

Launched from obscurity as the first publicly-available browser to pass the Acid2 test (the first to pass was Safari, but only the in-development version), iCab is also the only modern web browser still built for Classic Mac OS.

• Features: Web · RSS
  
• Import: Bookmarks from Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, Opera.
  
• Download iCab for Macintosh OS X or Classic. Free limited edition, $29 or €29 for iCab Pro.
  
• Let iCab Smile campaign and banners.
  

Linux/UNIX Browsers

• Features: Web · RSS via Akregator · Email via Kontact.
  
• Import: Bookmarks from Internet Explorer, Opera, Mozilla (and Firefox), Netscape, Galeon.
  
• Read about Konqueror for Linux/KDE.

Galeon

• Features: Web
  
• Import: Bookmarks from XBEL (Konqueror, Galeon), Mozilla (and Firefox), Netscape, Epiphany.
  
• Download Galeon for Linux/GNOME.

Epiphany

• Features: Web
  
• Import: Bookmarks from Firefox, Galeon, Konqueror, Mozilla, XBEL or HTML file.
  
• Download Epiphany for Linux/GNOME.